Means for detecting false signatures



April 13, 1937. H. HEIN 2,077,237

; MEANS FOR DETECTING FALSE SIGNKTURES I Filed Oct. 7, 1935 INVENTOR.

A Huqo Ham BY- ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 13, 1937 UNITED STATES MEANS FOR DETECTING FALSE 181G- NATURES V H Hugo Hein, New York; N. Y. Application October I, 1935, "Serial No; 43359 f 2 Claims. (01. sit-i4)" This invention relates to new and useful improvements in means whereby to ascertain and detect whether a given signature, for instance that on a check, document, or other valuable paper is original or false.

It has hitherto been a great problem for banking institutions, and other large business houses to guard themselves against losses through manipulations in fake signatures and falsifications of the latter.

The success of these institutions in said regard has, however, been small due to lack of means whereby readily and infallibly to ascertain the falsity of a signature.

It is this condition the present invention, which may appropriately be termed a false check signature examiner, has for its object to remedy, and this has been done in the manner, as will hereinafter be fully described.

As the present device is comparatively simple of construction, the cost of manufacturing the same should be proportionately low.

With the above and other objects in view, this invention consists of the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming part of this application, and in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of my device.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 22 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a part elevational side view of my said device.

Figure 5 is a side elevational detail view of a part of my invention; while Figure 6 is a sectional view of said part shown in Figure 5. V

Referring more particularly to the drawing, l0 indicates a box, which has two compartments H and I2. In one of said compartments, or spaces, ll, an original check I3 is inserted; while in the other compartment I2 is inserted the check I4, which signature is to be examined and compared.

The said compartments are separated by a wall l5; and, while said compartments are lightproof, they have in front thereof each been provided with a window I6 of strong magnifying glass, as may be seen in Figure 3, arranged at the right distance from the wall I! of the box It),

against which wall the checks will rest.

Doors l8 are slidably arranged upon the front of the box and adapted to close the windows, or part of these, when necessary during operation of the device, or, if desired, when the latter is not in use.

In one side of the box ID are arranged two electric bulbs l9, [9, provided with strong reflectors 20 to co-operate with the magnifying glasses IS, IS during the operation of the device in examining the checks.

Said bulbs have the conventional connection to an electric source 23; while the light is controlled by the switch 2|.

The operation of the device during the examining of checks must take place in an entirely dark room in order to yield a perfect and infallible result; and during said examination the examining box is placed upon a table, or is otherwise solidly supported.

A slide member 24, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, is adapted to close the space 25 in the rear of the side of the box, through which the checks are inserted, when the latter are withdrawn from said box.

The key-system by which to determine by comparison, whether a signature is false rests upon the following observations and principles:

It is generally acknowledged that an imitation signature, copied or traced, is written at what may be termed l, a slow speed; and 2, in a trembling manner; while 3, the pressure exerted and shown in the writing is also invariably different from that of the writer of the original signature.

By having these facts in mind, the characteristics above, indicating a false signature, will clearly appear, when a check is examined in the hereinbefore described box, which in a clear and 4 definite manner will bring out'the outstanding features indicating the falsity of the signature upon the check.

It is obvious that changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts, as shown and described, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not therefore wish to limit myself to the exact construction and arrangement shown and described herein.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A device for detecting false signatures comprising a light-proof box formed with a plurality of compartments therein, two of said compartments being arranged one above the other and being formed with a vertical slit therein, said compartments being adapted to have checks inserted therein, in the rear thereof, and being at the front formed with windows consisting of magnifying glasses, separate doors each slidably mounted on the front of the box for movement over one of the windows for restricting the window opening, another compartment in said box laterally disposed with respect to the first compartments, light bulbs arranged in said other compartment, and an electric source for feeding the bulbs, reflectors arranged in said latter compartment and adapted to co-operate with the light bulbs in illuminating the first two compartments.

2. A device for detecting false'signatures comprising a light-proof box formed with a plurality of compartments therein, two of said compartments being arranged one above the other and having a vertical slit formed in the side thereof adapted to receive checks placed against the rear wall of the respective compartments, said compartments being at the front formed with windows consisting of magnifying glasses, separate doors each slidably mounted on the front of the box for movement over one of the windows for restricting the window opening, another compartment in said box, laterally disposed with re spect to the first compartment, light bulbs arranged in said other compartment, reflectors mounted in the latter and adapted to cooperate with said light bulbs in illuminating the first two compartments, and an oblong member for closing the vertical slit, substantially as shown and described.

HUGO HEIN. 

